Production Planning Manager

Job description:

Job Purpose

To lead and manage all production planning functions supporting base maintenance operations, ensuring the efficient scheduling, coordination, and execution of aircraft maintenance activities. This includes direct oversight of Planning Engineers, Production Controllers, Workshop Planning Engineers, and Workshop Planning Controllers. Develop and manage Gantt charts to track task progress, resource allocation, and overall maintenance timelines.

• Acts as the central planning authority during base maintenance checks, coordinating with production and support departments.
• Develops comprehensive base maintenance plans and schedules aligned with aircraft availability and operational priorities.
• Ensures timely preparation and delivery of complete work packages, parts provisioning plans, and manpower forecasts.
• Coordinates daily and long-term planning to optimize hangar capacity, minimize aircraft downtime, and ensure timely return to service.
• Creates, manages, and updates Gantt charts for each maintenance input, ensuring clear visibility of:

1. Task sequencing and dependencies
2. Milestones and critical paths
3. Resource assignments (manpower, bays, tooling)
4. Communicate updates to all stakeholders and use charts as a core tracking and decision-making tool during checks.

• Interface with CAMO Planning, Engineering, Procurement to align plans with operational needs and technical requirements.
• Monitors real-time progress during checks and adjust plans to respond to findings, delays, or resource constraints.
• Ensures planning processes comply with GCAA regulations, AMO procedures, and CAMO requirements.
• Conducts post-maintenance reviews to identify lessons learned and implement process improvements.
• Maintains accurate planning records, work scopes, and audit trails for all inputs.
• Tracks and reports performance metrics including but not limited to: Schedule adherence, Manpower utilization, Maintenance cycle times, provides regular reports and dashboards to senior management based on planning and Gantt chart data.
• Provides direction, coaching and guidance to team members for their career and professional development. 
• Creates a conducive working environment to build and sustain a performance driven, engaged, and committed team.  
• Ensures people management responsibilities are handled effectively in line with company procedures.

• Diploma or Certificate in Aircraft Maintenance, Electrical Engineering, or equivalent technical discipline. 
• Familiarity with maintenance management software (e.g., AMOS, TRAX).
• Proficient in building and managing Gantt charts and detailed schedules. Strong skills in Gantt chart preparation.
• Analyzes maintenance timelines, resource plans, and operational risk.
• Clear and effective communicator, both written and verbal, across departments and levels.
• Capable of resolving planning conflicts, bottlenecks, and last-minute operational issues.
• Confident in making time-sensitive planning decisions with operational impact
• Physically fit and able to work in various operational conditions (e.g., confined spaces, outdoor environments).
• Understanding of aircraft systems, maintenance planning, and GCAA regulations.
• Effective communication and teamwork abilities.
• Ability to manage time and resources efficiently in a dynamic operational environment.
• Awareness of human factors in aircraft maintenance activities.
• Ability to work in shifts based on operational requirements.

• Minimum 5 years’ experience in aircraft maintenance planning, OR at least 2 years in a managerial role within base maintenance operations. 
• Deep understanding of base maintenance operations, hangar workflows, and heavy check coordination.
• Proven leadership experience in managing diverse planning and control teams

• Acts as the central planning authority during base maintenance checks, coordinating with production and support departments.
• Develops comprehensive base maintenance plans and schedules aligned with aircraft availability and operational priorities.
• Ensures timely preparation and delivery of complete work packages, parts provisioning plans, and manpower forecasts.
• Coordinates daily and long-term planning to optimize hangar capacity, minimize aircraft downtime, and ensure timely return to service.
• Creates, manages, and updates Gantt charts for each maintenance input, ensuring clear visibility of:

1. Task sequencing and dependencies
2. Milestones and critical paths
3. Resource assignments (manpower, bays, tooling)
4. Communicate updates to all stakeholders and use charts as a core tracking and decision-making tool during checks.

• Interface with CAMO Planning, Engineering, Procurement to align plans with operational needs and technical requirements.
• Monitors real-time progress during checks and adjust plans to respond to findings, delays, or resource constraints.
• Ensures planning processes comply with GCAA regulations, AMO procedures, and CAMO requirements.
• Conducts post-maintenance reviews to identify lessons learned and implement process improvements.
• Maintains accurate planning records, work scopes, and audit trails for all inputs.
• Tracks and reports performance metrics including but not limited to: Schedule adherence, Manpower utilization, Maintenance cycle times, provides regular reports and dashboards to senior management based on planning and Gantt chart data.
• Provides direction, coaching and guidance to team members for their career and professional development. 
• Creates a conducive working environment to build and sustain a performance driven, engaged, and committed team.  
• Ensures people management responsibilities are handled effectively in line with company procedures.

• Diploma or Certificate in Aircraft Maintenance, Electrical Engineering, or equivalent technical discipline. 
• Familiarity with maintenance management software (e.g., AMOS, TRAX).
• Proficient in building and managing Gantt charts and detailed schedules. Strong skills in Gantt chart preparation.
• Analyzes maintenance timelines, resource plans, and operational risk.
• Clear and effective communicator, both written and verbal, across departments and levels.
• Capable of resolving planning conflicts, bottlenecks, and last-minute operational issues.
• Confident in making time-sensitive planning decisions with operational impact
• Physically fit and able to work in various operational conditions (e.g., confined spaces, outdoor environments).
• Understanding of aircraft systems, maintenance planning, and GCAA regulations.
• Effective communication and teamwork abilities.
• Ability to manage time and resources efficiently in a dynamic operational environment.
• Awareness of human factors in aircraft maintenance activities.
• Ability to work in shifts based on operational requirements.